Leicarumours list a bunch of Leica lenses no longer on sale

[Ivar B]

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15 minutes ago, Xavier said:

Did not even notice the Chrome Summarits were already gone!

Indeed, not the best time for sales. Still I find the discontinuation of this line a loss, there is a use for small/light lenses (I love my 75/2.5, it serves its purpose quite well; I have a Zeiss 35/2.8 but have been thinking about moving to a Summarit ---maybe I should look into the ongoing sales, though my financial state is not great at this point in time).

I am less familiar with the other discontinued lenses and items, but it is probably quite bad too. In any case, it is not good news to see the M lens set shrink this way.

At least for the Summarits there should ne no problem as there are many thousands around used. The Summilux 1.4/24mm has a limited production of 3 500 - 4 500 and may become rare. "Nodoby" buys these fast lenses any longer with the excellent high iso performance of the M bodies. Of course there are compositional issues for some. 

[SmokeSolid]

I read this a couple of days ago. Sad news.

I contacted a person I know in Leica.
He said rumors are true. 

I absolutely love the Summilux 24mm. 
Its a true marvel. Ive taken it across many adventures. Never a complaint even in the worst conditions did its job with superb quality. 
Shot in rain with it, sun, snow, deserts, models, thief's, VIPs,artists, hotels, trains, planes, deep underground you name it. 

Best 24(25) there is. My favorite, as you can tell.
 

He said it was very difficult to produce and it didn’t sold much. He didn’t confirmed production quantity but said it was very low and few hundreds still left on shelfs. He was very vague but I confirmed the discontinuation of 24’s. 
 

 

[tomasis7]

24 Noctilux, bring it on. Perfect lens for Leica users. Cheap enough. 

[UliWer]

It looks as if the Leica lenses with 24mm are more frequently offered on the second hand market than bought new or used. The 24mm Elmarit-asph. was an excellent lens and cost 3100,-€ when it was last listed in the catalogue in 2009. Today you see second hand offers at 1500,-€. You can‘t expect finding a 35mm Summicron-asph. for the same price - which was 2250,-€ in 2009. 

[SmokeSolid]

1 hour ago, tomasis7 said:

24 Noctilux, bring it on. Perfect lens for Leica users. Cheap enough. 

You can start saving. 

[MarkP]

On 3/20/2020 at 1:13 AM, Ivar B said:

"Nodoby" buys these fast lenses any longer with the excellent high iso performance of the M bodies. Of course there are compositional issues for some. 

Good point. I have more than my fair share of Summiluxes (21, 35, 50, 75) and an old 1.0/50 Noctilux v3.  However, I rarely use these lenses fully wide open unless there is a compositional 'issue/requirement' or not enough light as I like keeping ISO low. I'm not into the 'only-the-cornea-of-the-closest-eye-to-the-lens-in-focus' look.

Furthermore,  I agree that the need for very fast lenses for low light is generally less of an issue with the newer digital M cameras.  Although  at times 3.4-3.8 is a bit slow. I took the 21 Summilux out today on the SL in crap weather and poor light (instead of the 3.4/21and it was a joy to use). Having the extra  three and a half stops to play with is helpful at times.

I've not bought a ≥1.4 lens for some time and have had no GAS for the new Noctiluxes or other Summiluxes (24mm & 28mm although I use these FLs a lot, 2.0 is ample for 28mm).  As I don't use the last stop very often I'd rather save the money and have a more compact lens.

 

The 3.8/24 Elmar-M is a stellar lens.  Shame to see it go but obviously the demand just isn't there.  As UliWer mentioned - I bought mine mint, second-hand unused much cheaper than new. But that doesn't help Leica as that was one less new lens sold...

 

[SmokeSolid]

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1 hour ago, MarkP said:

Good point. I have more than my fair share of Summiluxes (21, 35, 50, 75) and an old 1.0/50 Noctilux v3.  However, I rarely use these lenses fully wide open unless there is a compositional 'issue/requirement' or not enough light as I like keeping ISO low. I'm not into the 'only-the-cornea-of-the-closest-eye-to-the-lens-in-focus' look.

Furthermore,  I agree that the need for very fast lenses for low light is generally less of an issue with the newer digital M cameras.  Although  at times 3.4-3.8 is a bit slow. I took the 21 Summilux out today on the SL in crap weather and poor light (instead of the 3.4/21and it was a joy to use). Having the extra  three and a half stops to play with is helpful at times.

I've not bought a ≥1.4 lens for some time and have had no GAS for the new Noctiluxes or other Summiluxes (24mm & 28mm although I use these FLs a lot, 2.0 is ample for 28mm).  As I don't use the last stop very often I'd rather save the money and have a more compact lens.

 

The 3.8/24 Elmar-M is a stellar lens.  Shame to see it go but obviously the demand just isn't there.  As UliWer mentioned - I bought mine mint, second-hand unused much cheaper than new. But that doesn't help Leica as that was one less new lens sold...

 

Speed is nice to have and helpful sometimes as you just said. They are just tools.
 

Ill never buy a Nocti, but will never invest time trashing them as for example Ken Rockwell does and many others here and in other forums. 
Seems they are trying to “save” you money or convince people on how they shoot amazing pictures with slower lenses as if it was a complex finding or a hidden truth. Its a trait from inferiority complex in my opinion.Why would you care if someone invest their money as they like.  Whats common on most of them as Ken , is that they shoot pure trash or rarely see them post an image. 
This is photography words shouldn’t matter at all I just judge by work who I listen too. 
 

I almost never accelerate on my AMG pedal to the metal I have no need for that but when I do is pure joy. With fast lenses are the same  

You have a great collection congratulations  

Ill love that 75mm Summilux 🙌🏻
 

 

Edited May 24, 2020 by SmokeSolid
Missed a word

[tomasis7]

3 hours ago, SmokeSolid said:

You can start saving. 

ill save for 24/3.8.. i think it will be popular in future. Well, i dont see it as investment, haha. It will be used a lot together with 50 as my main. Kind of modern 21 Angulon which I have now. 

Edited May 24, 2020 by tomasis7

[Rick in CO]

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I guess this is what would be called a "Classic" M10 Outfit now.

[SmokeSolid]

3 hours ago, tomasis7 said:

ill save for 24/3.8.. i think it will be popular in future. Well, i dont see it as investment, haha. It will be used a lot together with 50 as my main. Kind of modern 21 Angulon which I have now. 

That 24/3.8 is a jewel too. Really nice. 
Too bad they killed the production line. 
More people like investing in a 21 than in a 24. 
24 together with a 50 is a superb set you’ll have there. 💪🏻

[wlaidlaw]

My personal preference is the Zeiss ZM Biogon 25/2.8. A stop faster than the Super Elmarit and at least as good. It has very high resolution and is extremely rectilinear. I replaced my less than wonderful 24/2.8 Elmarit-M with the Biogon. The only thing you need to be careful with all the ZM lenses is to store them vertically not on their side or mounted long term on a camera. If you do that, the quite thin lubricant that Cosina used on the helicoid can pool at the lowest part. The dry top bit of the helicoid then wears badly. 

Wilson

[AndreasG]

vor 18 Minuten schrieb wlaidlaw:

The only thing you need to be careful with all the ZM lenses is to store them vertically not on their side or mounted long term on a camera. If you do that, the quite thin lubricant that Cosina used on the helicoid can pool at the lowest part.

That is indeed an interesting remark because I also own two ZM lenses (18 and 25mm). Of course, there is always a lowest part where the lubricant pools down, regardless of the orientation during storage, is there any experience about maximum storage time if you keep the lens sideways?

[wlaidlaw]

Apparently about a year without moving is enough to drain the lubricant to the lower part. Obviously if you are using the lens regularly, the lubricant gets re-distributed. I was a beta tester for Contax UK back in the early to mid 2000's when the ZM lenses (and the Ikon camera) were released, Just as Contax UK was shutting down, they were seeing the first of these problems as warranty returns, usually with lenses that had sat on dealers shelves for some time. However it is more of an issue in hot countries, where the low viscosity of the helicoid lubricant is even lower and the pooling more rapid. I turn my ZM lenses head to tail every month or so and if I have not used them for some time, spend a few minutes rotating the helicoid from stop to stop, to re-distribute the lubricant. My ZM lenses are now 15 years old and no problems. 

Wilson

 

[Xavier]

26 minutes ago, wlaidlaw said:

Apparently about a year without moving is enough to drain the lubricant to the lower part. Obviously if you are using the lens regularly, the lubricant gets re-distributed. I was a beta tester for Contax UK back in the early to mid 2000's when the ZM lenses (and the Ikon camera) were released, Just as Contax UK was shutting down, they were seeing the first of these problems as warranty returns, usually with lenses that had sat on dealers shelves for some time. However it is more of an issue in hot countries, where the low viscosity of the helicoid lubricant is even lower and the pooling more rapid. I turn my ZM lenses head to tail every month or so and if I have not used them for some time, spend a few minutes rotating the helicoid from stop to stop, to re-distribute the lubricant. My ZM lenses are now 15 years old and no problems. 

Wilson

 

This is super useful remark. I have noticed one of my ZM's has became slightly stiff in part of the range, and that could well be the reason. I was suspecting a lubrication issue. I will try the two things that yo mention. Many thanks for posting!

[jaeger]

2 hours ago, SmokeSolid said:

That 24/3.8 is a jewel too. Really nice. 
Too bad they killed the production line. 
More people like investing in a 21 than in a 24. 
24 together with a 50 is a superb set you’ll have there. 💪🏻

Does your 24 lux has back focus, or I say "bias" to back focus.  Let me elaborate... if you aim at the H key of your keyboard @ f/1.4 and minimal distant the Y, 7 and Function keys are all in focus but the H key is just barely inside focus but N key is already out.  As distance increases it gets a little better, and I can't tell for subject over 8ish foot. 

[SmokeSolid]

44 minutes ago, jaeger said:

Does your 24 lux has back focus, or I say "bias" to back focus.  Let me elaborate... if you aim at the H key of your keyboard @ f/1.4 and minimal distant the Y, 7 and Function keys are all in focus but the H key is just barely inside focus but N key is already out.  As distance increases it gets a little better, and I can't tell for subject over 8ish foot. 

Hi my friend. 
Doesnt. 
 

0.7cm f1.4

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[jaeger]

17 minutes ago, SmokeSolid said:

Hi my friend. 
Doesnt. 
 

0.7cm f1.4

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From a 45 degree angle.  Sorry I didn't say that.  =P

[SmokeSolid]

26 minutes ago, jaeger said:

From a 45 degree angle.  Sorry I didn't say that.  =P

Shot your keyboard and send me the picture. Send me an inbox so we don’t pollute the thread. 

Center is sharp H is good and all tested at 0.7cm f1.4
I hope there’s nothing wrong With it. 
 

[MarkP]

21 hours ago, SmokeSolid said:

Speed is nice to have and helpful sometimes as you just said. They are just tools.
 

Ill never buy a Nocti, but will never invest time trashing them as for example Ken Rockwell does and many others here and in other forums. 
Seems they are trying to “save” you money or convince people on how they shoot amazing pictures with slower lenses as if it was a complex finding or a hidden truth. Its a trait from inferiority complex in my opinion.Why would you care if someone invest their money as they like.  Whats common on most of them as Ken , is that they shoot pure trash or rarely see them post an image. 
This is photography words shouldn’t matter at all I just judge by work who I listen too. 
 

I almost never accelerate on my AMG pedal to the metal I have no need for that but when I do is pure joy. With fast lenses are the same  

You have a great collection congratulations  

Ill love that 75mm Summilux 🙌🏻
 

 

Thanks.

The 1.0/50 v3 was a gift from a good friend.

The 75 Summilux isn't going anywhere. Sorry...

But then I don't have an AMG 😉

 

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[MarkP]

16 hours ago, wlaidlaw said:

My personal preference is the Zeiss ZM Biogon 25/2.8. A stop faster than the Super Elmarit and at least as good. It has very high resolution and is extremely rectilinear. I replaced my less than wonderful 24/2.8 Elmarit-M with the Biogon. The only thing you need to be careful with all the ZM lenses is to store them vertically not on their side or mounted long term on a camera. If you do that, the quite thin lubricant that Cosina used on the helicoid can pool at the lowest part. The dry top bit of the helicoid then wears badly. 

Wilson

I had the 25 ZM Biogon a while ago - it was indeed a spectacular lens with almost no distortion. Didn't lose much resolution or contrast wide open.

I replaced it with the 3.8/24 mainly for consistency of rendering/colouring with my other Leica lenses. Although it has obvious advantages, I also don't like 1/3 stop aperture ring indent of the ZM lenses as I prefer being able to offset aperture and shutter speed at consistent 1/2 stop intervals.

Edited May 25, 2020 by MarkP